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The thing is, I want the vehicle as mechanically sound as I can get it. Its probably the wrong sort of thing to want to own with such a tight budget but I love it to bits. Long term, I want to get it off road at a meet of some kind. Found a forest track in wales last summer which i ventured onto, but when it turned into a wet and muddy 45 degree downhill slope with an almost sheer drop each side i bottled it and reversed back out. The fun of owning it hasn't worn off, and i just want it to be right. I know you can see where Im coming from with this, and I'm takin on board everything you experienced guys tell me. Your knowledge is the only benchmark that I have. So- new plan based on what you just said Matt. Into the garage tomorrow as planned for a new timing belt, then back home for a thorough engine flush and a refill with top quality, correctly graded oil and a new filter. Then just keep a carefull (but un-worried) eye on it. More sensible?
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on the subject of engine oil, the grade needed as far as i can see is anywhere between 10w30 and 10w50. Any recomendations as to mineral, partly or fully sinthetic?My karma ran over my dogma ..
PaulComment
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15/40 semi synth. And that's what I'd personally suggest doing. Filter and oil, then monitor the leak. A fault can occur at any time, so other than the cooling system, major pre-emptive maintenance can be a vicious circle once you start.
If it's going to nag at you and be on your mind, however, then go for the gasket change for peace of mind. You'll learn to worry less as you progress, though, and just appreciate them for what they are. As I mentioned before, reading past posts in the forum will scare the cr@p out of you.
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Originally posted by Billy-No-Money
I've always used 15w40 semi-synthetic, suitable for turbo diesels.
You'll need about 7.5 litres with a new filter.Comment
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Cheers matt. Thats the route Ill take then. Like you say, the percentage of threads on the forum are from folks like me with things which are percieved to be broken, its where I first got the notion that the head was almost bound to fail. The new plugs have solved the starting problem, and aside from a small miss when it first starts it runs fine with no noticable lack of power so I guess it cant have that much wrong with it. Ill put my energies into more constructive issues, like tryin to persuade the missus that the money we wont be spending on a new head means we can now give it a suspension lift and a set of 31/10.50 a/t's lolMy karma ran over my dogma ..
PaulComment
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and now that the head is out of the way, anyone got a pic of a tow bar assembly? dont fancy forking out £130, I can make one for the price of the steel if i can see what it looks like and where it fits. Or should I start a new thread for this?My karma ran over my dogma ..
PaulComment
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Originally posted by Billy-No-Money
Call this number in the morning.......... 01332 230178 ask for Tom.
He's selling towbars for 40 quid, without electrics though, but they're easy enough to fit yourself.
The towbars will need a coat of hammerite for extra protection, but a few of the guys on here have bought and fitted them and seem happy.
Then you'll need to send Koi a tenner so you can have a blue star, considering all that cash you'll now be saving!
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Is that the chap who had them listed on E-bay, Vince?Comment
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Cheers Bushwacker. 40 squids is more like it. With regards the blue star, a tenner is a bargain, its on the way!My karma ran over my dogma ..
PaulComment
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Originally posted by MattF
Yup. I E-mailed him, and I got a reply saying to phone that number and ask for Tom. I'm gonna order one tomorrow, I just want a towbar really, not worried about the electrics, it's not like I'm getting a bluddie house on wheels to lug about!Comment
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Glad to hear you're not worrying as much now. I'm not a mud plugger, but mine has had to go through some grief in other ways, (mainly the cooling system upgrades that plagued me for several months ), but that's why I now appreciate just how rugged these engines are. They are more resilient than you would first think.
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Originally posted by BUSHWHACKER If you want some electrics, I'm gonna be renewing mine soon, so you can have the existing auxilliary caravan supply unit and other bits, if you want 'em? It all works, last time I checked.
Apparently they are quite good bars he supplies, aren't they.Comment
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I was tempted to ask what cooling system upgrades, but not sure I want any more projects lolOriginally posted by MattFGlad to hear you're not worrying as much now. I'm not a mud plugger, but mine has had to go through some grief in other ways, (mainly the cooling system upgrades that plagued me for several months ), but that's why I now appreciate just how rugged these engines are. They are more resilient than you would first think.My karma ran over my dogma ..
PaulComment
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The thing about this ( and many other ) forum is that nobody ever posts in to say that their surf is working fine and they've never had any problems of any kind. If you look at the number of members ( about 9000 I think) and then look at the number of problems its a pretty good average.Most of the faults seem to be along the same lines, heads, cooling, electrical etc. etc.
Most of the probs come from the scond gens which can be up to 20 years old, no vehicle makes it to 20 yrs without problems. Mine is 18 yrs and I've had a new head, tyres, shocks and springs, alternator, air con regas, rear window motor, coz they were just old and worn out ( 95000 miles) and I've still got some electrical problems.
Just think yourself lucky you did'nt buy a Freelander!!! He, he, he.Rob
Still working for the man!Comment
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Originally posted by Billy-No-Money
OMG!!! You don't want to go there.Comment
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